Swinbrook Cricket Club – When stumps are drawn, fires are lit

While in his radio days Eykyn did cover Test matches, the call to commentate on the latest Ashes series in Australia for TNT Sport was a “bucket list moment”. You’d assume Swinbrook Cricket Club would have been delighted with their 1st X1 captain at the heart of one of world sport’s most iconic contests, but there was Cotswolds disgruntlement as Eykyn focused on the power hitting of Australia’s Travis Head and the rash shots of the English batsmen, rather than shoehorning in gratuitous mentions of his village cricket team.

When asked if Swinbrook’s opening bat was more Boycott or Brook when it came to putting a price on his wicket, Eykyn, while hesitating at comparing himself to either, plumped for Boycott. “Out of necessity, ahead of the young dashers down the order.”

Swinbrook is the latest member of BBQ ClubHouse, run by this magazine, with sports clubs partnering with leading outdoor cooking brands to reimagine the food experience.

“Through our BBQ ClubHouse initiative, clubs can access high-quality BBQ equipment at exclusive trade prices, creating not only compelling commercial opportunities, but also inspiring, educating and entertaining members, families and friends of all ages,” says Ian Jones, events director of BBQ magazine.

Eykyn adds: “We’re absolutely delighted to be on board and really looking forward to upping our outdoor cooking game. Cricket brings huge social value and enjoyment to local communities. Swinbrook is a very special place and my happy place, especially playing alongside my son, Sam.”

David Berkeley, club secretary at Swinbrook, adds: “Over the last couple of seasons there has been a revival at the club. An under 13s side was set up with great success and this summer we will restart the second league side, with the two teams competing in leagues 5 and 9 of the Cherwell Cricket League, as well as adding All Stars cricket on a Friday evening for the under 7s. The aim is very simple: to be a club people want to play for, and to play against, welcoming all levels of cricketer.”

Swinbrook has a bucolic setting in the Windrush Valley between Burford and Witney – and, crucially, a patio area next to the pavilion, with a Weber Genesis grill on its way through the BBQ ClubHouse initiative.

The cricket ground is just down the road from Jeremy Clarkson’s pub The Farmer’s Dog, with the club sponsored by Hawkstone lager. First to the tongs when the barbecue arrives will be Swinbrook’s unofficial chef in cricket flannels, Rakesh Bajpai – a fine fire cook and with a burgeoning rubs and spices business, The Spice Rak.

“We see the BBQ Clubhouse initiative as something that can move us on from doing the occasional event to something that’s baked into our culture and way of welcoming opposition players and supporters, as well as our own regulars,” says Bajpai, who as a wicketkeeper dons the gloves behind both stumps and grill.

“With the quintessential cricket tea now seen as the exception rather than the norm, we want to offer all who pass through Swinbrook CC a taste of that hospitality. That’s what this brilliant BBQ magazine partnership will enable us to deliver. Last year’s themed Mexican and Caribbean nights, as well as our 6-a-side Swinfest season finale, can be built on, with Friday night parents and kids BBQs, midweek training pizzas and much more.”

Swinbrook can call on another of its players to lead the cooking in Jamie King, head chef at Frilford Heath Golf Club, while the club also has a descendant of cricketing royalty, with club chairman Dominic Grace the great-great grandson of the legendary WG Grace.

“I certainly couldn’t beat him on the batting front, nor the beard front either! But I like to think that WG would have been delighted that, notwithstanding the woes suffered by so many village cricket clubs these days, Swinbrook CC is in good shape,” says Dominic Grace.

“He would also be pleased that George, a great-great-great grandson, features large on the Centurions honours board in the pavilion. He might be less impressed that Swinbrook is just the wrong side of the Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire border though.”

Eykyn features on both batting and bowling honours boards and for him a ‘mic drop’ is wrapping up a rugby commentary and heading home at speed to pad up. “I do try and keep as many summer weekends free as possible. I also didn’t realise that as well as my first team captain responsibilities, living five minutes from the ground means I am usually first responder in an emergency too!”

If only you’d managed a ‘If that was for Swinbrook, Jacob Bethell would be on our honours board,’ shout-out during the Sydney Test match, there might be more parish sympathy Ali.

Play. Cook. Eat.

www.bbqclubhouse.co.uk
Ian Jones: ian@thebbqmag.com